ADHD can affect a student's ability to focus, pay attention, listen, or put effort into schoolwork. ADHD also can make a student fidgety, restless, talk too much, or disrupt the class. Kids with ADHD might also have learning disabilities that cause them to have problems in school.
A lot of kids with ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) are diagnosed when they start to struggle in school. Fidgeting, interrupting, losing homework, daydreaming — these are all common signs of ADHD.
Inattentive Symptoms of ADHD:
Doesn't seem to be listening when spoken to directly. Has trouble organizing tasks and possessions. Often fails to finish work in school or chores in the classroom. Often avoids or resists tasks that require sustained mental effort, including doing homework.
Common, noticeable characteristics of ADHD include inattentiveness, dis- ruptive behavior, restlessness, irritable, aggressive, and impulsive behavior. Therefore, many students with ADHD struggle to comply with social cues. Many individuals with ADHD are difficult to live with or teach.
The most common problems in kids with ADHD are behavior issues. These include refusing (more often than other kids) to follow directions from parents or teachers and having emotional outbursts when asked to do things they find difficult or challenging.
But teachers can't diagnose ADHD. They can tell you what they've noticed, but after that, you would need to get a professional to evaluate your child to see if they have ADHD or if something else is going on. There is no one test for ADHD.
ADHD in preschoolers is sometimes situational — symptoms flare in school but not at home, and vice versa.
Yes! Students who have ADHD can get good grades and achieve their goals. Even if you've been diagnosed with ADHD, you can be a great student with great grades.
Restlessness. Hyperactivity is often a major symptom of ADHD. Where in children, this symptom often manifests as an inability to sit still. In classroom settings, kids might fidget or squirm in their chairs, talk excessively, interrupt others, and always seem to be in motion.
During Childhood
Children with ADHD may struggle to control their emotions. This can cause social problems. They may not know how to share toys, take turns, play well with others, or react the right way in certain situations. Without treatment and guidance, they may have trouble making or keeping friends.
Your child may: Have trouble staying focused; be easily distracted or get bored with a task before it's completed. Appear not to listen when spoken to. Have difficulty remembering things and following instructions; not pay attention to details or makes careless mistakes.
In addition to genetics, scientists are studying other possible causes and risk factors including: Brain injury. Exposure to environmental risks (e.g., lead) during pregnancy or at a young age. Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy.
ADHD tends to run in families and, in most cases, it's thought the genes you inherit from your parents are a significant factor in developing the condition. Research shows that parents and siblings of someone with ADHD are more likely to have ADHD themselves.
Studies have shown that symptoms of bipolar disorder often overlap with those of ADHD, making it hard to diagnose both of these disorders. Bipolar disorder is marked by mood swings between periods of intense emotional highs and lows.
In adults, the main features of ADHD may include difficulty paying attention, impulsiveness and restlessness. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Many adults with ADHD aren't aware they have it — they just know that everyday tasks can be a challenge.